After missing a full season, Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass shook off the rust in his preseason return, flashing veteran accuracy while working to perfect his mechanics before Week 1.
Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass had a big game in his return to the game field in Saturday's 29-14 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers.
Bass missed the entire 2025 season due to hip and groin injuries. Matt Prater did a good job filling in for Bass last season, making 18 of his 20 field goal attempts and 46 of his 49 extra point attempts.
The Bills asked a lot of Bass on Saturday. He attempted three field goals and two extra points. He made field goal attempts from 29, 33, and 46 yards. He made both his extra point attempts, but missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide right in the second quarter.
Fortunately, he had opportunities to rebound.
When speaking to reporters after the game, Bass said it felt good to return to the game field on Saturday.
"It felt good," Bass said, via the Bills' website. "I've been working really hard, so it felt good. I was just embracing it… [thinking,] 'swing the same, do the same thing you did at practice, at the game.'"
Bass wants to "clean up" his procedure on the missed kick, noting he pushed the ball.
"I was just quick," Bass said. "It's something I want to clean up. I was just a little ahead of it, and ended up just pushing it. But I was happy to get a few more opportunities after, to clean that up."
Bass will have a chance to get more practice before the regular season when the Bills travel to play the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. He noted that he'll feel more at home when Buffalo has more opportunities for him to kick.
"The more you're in there, you just build confidence with it," Bass said. "It did a good job of blocking out wind, and it felt good."
The Buffalo offense looks poised to give Bass more opportunities to practice kicks in the preseason.
The Bills recorded 396 total yards on offense to the Panthers' 201. Buffalo averaged 6.4 yards per play, and played complementary football by having a solid rushing attack aid the passing scheme.
